CMPD officer wounds suspect who rammed cop cars

A 30-year-old man was recovering early Thursday after he was shot by a CMPD officer during a encounter in southeast Charlotte.

According to a department spokeswoman, the incident began around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday when officers from the Steele Creek Division saw an out-of-state vehicle that was reported stolen. The driver, Nicholas Poulos, was wanted in another jurisdiction for probation violation and drug-related charges, according to CMPD.

Officers spotted the car near Carowinds and followed it several miles to the intersection of Wendover and Monroe roads, where they tried to arrest the driver. That’s when Poulos “rammed his vehicle into several occupied and unoccupied police cars,” according to CMPD. The suspect also rammed a vehicle carrying a civilian.

The officer who shot Poulos, identified CMPD as David Harvey, “perceived an imminent deadly threat,” the department said in a statement.

In keeping with CMPD policy, Harvey, employed with the department since August 2011, was placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the shooting.

CMPD said Poulos would be charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, assault with a deadly weapon, 4 counts of damage to property, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of marijuana.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak to a homicide detective, or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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